Talcum Powder Lawsuit

Talcum powder is a soft, naturally-occurring mineral used in personal hygiene products to absorb moisture, dry the skin, reduce friction, combat odor, and prevent rashes. Manufacturer Johnson & Johnson began selling baby powder as one of its first products in 1886, pitching talc as a way to combat diaper rashes in 1894. By 1913, they were marketing their product to mothers interested in hygiene with the slogan: “Best for baby, best for you.”

While natural talc contains asbestos, manufacturing processes dating back to 1970 claimed to remove all traces of the carcinogen. According to Reuters, “J&J didn’t tell the FDA that at least three tests by three different labs from 1972 to 1975 had found asbestos in its talc – in one case at levels reported as ‘rather high.’”

For decades, internal test results were hidden from the public. The first talcum powder lawsuit was filed by a spa worker in Jefferson County, Texas in 1997. The plaintiff ultimately dropped the claim when she was unable to get J&J to release the documents she requested. “When you are the plaintiff, you have the burden of proof. We didn’t have it,” said Darlene Coker’s attorney, Herschel Hobson.

Fast-forward to present time. There are over 10,000 talcum powder lawsuits pending in court. A number of talcum powder lawsuits have succeeded in court so far. Rutter Mills attorneys are accepting claims nationwide from women who believe their regular use of talcum powder caused (or contributed to) their ovarian cancer diagnoses.

Who is eligible to file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit?

Simply using talcum powder over a period of years is not enough to warrant the pursuit of damages through civil courts. However, if you or a loved one used talcum powder frequently and have recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there may be a link.

In 1971, researchers discovered that 75 percent of the ovarian cancer tumors they examined contained talc particles. A decade later, a Harvard study identified a 30 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who routinely used talcum powder for feminine hygiene. Internal memos show Johnson & Johnson executives knew of the potential risk associated with their product as early as 1997, but felt the risk was too low to justify warnings or product discontinuation.

One theory is that the talc powders enter the female reproductive tract, where they cause an inflammatory response, thus making the growth of cancer cells more likely.

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You may be eligible to file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit if:

You used Johnson & Johnson baby powder or
Shower To Shower.

You used the product for purposes of perineal
dusting or feminine hygiene.

You used the product consistently – even daily,
for years.

You were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, which is most closely linked to talc
use.

You are within the statute of limitations for
your state.

The statute of limitations for
filing a personal injury or product liability lawsuit differs from state to
state. In many states, the statute of limitations is two years from the time of
injury (your cancer diagnosis). However, all the facts in this case are just
now coming to light, so you may not have made the connection between your talc
use and your cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, many states allow for “delayed
discovery,” meaning that the clock starts ticking once you know or should have known about
the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Please call Rutter Mills as
soon as possible to discuss how the statute of limitations pertains to your
case.

Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Verdicts and
Settlements

Over $5 billion has been awarded to talcum powder cancer lawsuit plaintiffs, including:

2016 – $72 million jury award in St. Louis to
the family of a California woman who died from ovarian cancer.

2016 – $70 million jury award to a woman
diagnosed with terminal cancer after 40 years of talc use

2017 – $417 million to a Los Angeles woman with
terminal ovarian cancer, diagnosed in 2007.

2017 – $110 million to a Virginia woman
diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

This is not to say these lawsuits
are a slam-dunk. Many cases have been thrown out of court for “insufficient
evidence” and rulings overturned if the proper protocols were not followed. For
this reason, it is important to work with a legal team that is familiar with
talcum powder lawsuits specifically.

If You File A Class
Action Lawsuit, Talcum Powder Claims Could Be Lower

A class action lawsuit lumps
similar claims together. If a judge agrees the central claim is valid, the
dangerous product manufacturer could be ordered to pay a large sum of money,
which is then divvied up amongst the claimants. Each plaintiff receives the
same amount, regardless of specific injuries or medical costs. In 2018, a
talcum powder class action lawsuit was tossed out by the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the
Third Circuit. The grounds for the class action was based on the lack of
warning labels, but the plaintiff did not have ovarian cancer, so the case was
dismissed as “buyer’s remorse.”

Another way of proceeding is
through multi-district litigation (MDL). With MDL 2738, early discovery is
streamlined for similar cases to save time. The same judge presides over a
series of bellwether trials, which reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the
central argument. While early successes may set a precedent, each case has “its
day in court.”

If successful, you may receive
compensation to cover past, present, and future medical expenses, lost wages
and loss of earning potential, emotional pain and suffering, and punitive
damages on top of all that. Survivors of loved ones who passed away from
ovarian cancer may receive a monetary award for wrongful death, funeral costs,
burial expenses, emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship/guidance,
and loss of income.

Free Consultations Available

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Contact Rutter Mills to speak with an attorney who is handling national talcum powder lawsuits. Our experienced personal injury attorneys offer consultations at no cost to you. In fact, we only accept payment for our services if we win a settlement or jury award on your behalf. If your case is unsuccessful, you owe us nothing. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring your legal options if you are in the process of dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

“Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being hurt or ill. And nobody likes to ask for help. But when you need it most, we’re at our best. We give our clients the confidence and support they need to know they’ll be taken care of – that they’ll get the best outcome possible, even in the face of a very bad situation.”

– Brother Rutter

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